Information Literacy (LIB 150) has been a required course for all Fort Lewis College students since winter 1996. LIB 150 is an introductory course designed to help students learn fundamental research concepts and skills, including learning to locate, obtain, evaluate and cite information sources. LIB 150 is not geared toward specific disciplines. Instead, it offers a valuable building block for students who will continue developing their research abilities as they complete coursework for their majors, particularly Group W (writing) courses and senior seminars.
Since LIB 150 is a general, basic level course, it is likely students doing specific research will need some extra instruction in order to be successful. Also, for various reasons, some students in your classes will not yet have even taken LIB 150. Library faculty members encourage you to request instruction for your students. Librarians can teach students how to use specialized library databases, printed materials and Internet resources. General tours are not recommended as instruction.
It is usually most effective for library instruction to occur at or very near to the time students are expected to begin their research project(s); students retain more of what they have been taught when they apply it immediately. It is also helpful to librarians when requests for instruction can be spread out over several weeks or over the course of the trimester rather than having many classes packed into the first couple weeks of class. Please consider when your students will benefit most from library instruction sessions, and also consider scheduling instruction later in the trimester when possible.
It is imperative that you make your requests more than one week in advance of the desired instruction date. Since much library instruction requires use of computers in order to be the most effective, librarians need time to reserve computer labs through the Computing Center or to reserve portable equipment through the Center for Instructional Technology. There is not enough lab space or portable equipment available to honor last minute requests. Your planning and patience in scheduling library instruction is much appreciated.
If you plan to bring your whole class to the library for a tour or for other purposes, please notify a reference librarian by calling the reference desk (x7551) at least one week in advance. The library has limited space, and there can be conflicts with other classes and groups using the library during your scheduled class time.